An outstanding resume is a critical component of a successful job search and career development strategy, but – as I have written about several times now – it is just a piece of the puzzle. Read more
I just heard back from a client who – for a long time – was reluctant to consider temporary employment. She held on to an outmoded notion that it was somehow not an option for someone not pursuing clerical work. Read more
It is becoming increasingly important to find ways to differentiate yourself in the job market – ways to get the attention of readers and to stand out among a sea of highly qualified candidates. That means finding ways to be appropriately and productively disruptive.
There are very safe ways of doing this; creating a truly accomplishment focused resume is pretty disruptive (since so many are anything but). And there are more risky ways of achieving this. I recently received an email from someone asking whether it would be appropriate to send a potential employer a skateboard with an infographic decal along with his resume (yes, really!).
The employer was a very progressive design company. They had requested applicants “provide something extra.” But a skateboard with an infographic decal? Believe it or not, I liked the idea. It certainly will be hard to ignore! Because – and only because – the employer opened up the door for something like this and the approach was not out of line with the company’s culture, I said go for it. What would be a terrible idea in most situations made good sense here.
When considering ways to be appropriately and productively disruptive, there are some things to keep in mind:
- In the example I shared, the skateboard is an attention getter. Regardless, the focus needs to be on what you offer and how you plan to impact the company. If you aren’t directing people to what really matters (your accomplishment-focused resume), the skateboard is just a gimmick.
- Whatever you produce – be it a mock advertisement, proposal or infographic – needs to be top-notch. You are going to get people’s attention, but you are also opening yourself up to added criticism. That’s not a bad thing. Just make sure what you send / leave behind is the best you can possibly deliver.
When considering ways to stand out, it is most important that you consider your audience. What works for a creative design firm could be absolutely disastrous in another setting. Know your audience, do the best you can and make sure – above all else – that the resume you provide is outstanding.
Researching a company prior to an interview is a very good investment of your time. Coming prepared with a high-level grasp of the organization will bolster your confidence and help you speak more directly to why you are a strong fit. Read more
Today, I have a big announcement. But first, some backstory….
One of the hallmarks of Tandem’s services – what I believe is a huge differentiator – is a commitment to creating a “best in class” experience. That means, in addition to staying on top of what’s going on in the world of Human Resources and Career Development, I want to ensure that I am always providing the highest quality, most relevant services and tools.
Over the years that has meant regularly refining my approach to HR consulting – striving to offer the tools and advice that can help to make organizations the best employers that they can be. On the Career Development / Resume Writing side, it has meant continually tweaking my process so that it provides the most value for individuals on a quest to find and maintain fulfilling careers. It’s about a lot more than a new resume, and clients love it.
Any top-notch HR professional will tell you that a resume is a critical piece of the job search puzzle, but only one piece. Much to some client’s surprise, I am constantly saying that an outstanding resume is only a prerequisite, a starting point, a foundation. It’s the beginning of what should a be a multi-pronged approach that moves you from “looking for a job” to “managing a career.”
With all of that texture in place, I am happy to announce a significant new feature that will make Tandem’s process even more valuable.
I recently completed a guide: Beyond an Outstanding Resume. The guide is a way of providing clients with an outline and some specific tools for managing a multi-faceted career management approach that goes beyond submitting resumes and crossing fingers. The guide provides 12 steps that, when completed, will lead to more job search success and, ultimately, career fulfillment.
It gives client suggestions and tools beyond an outstanding resume that will help to fuel professional development. Of course the list isn’t all inclusive – there are certainly more than 12 ideas that might be appropriate. However, based on my experience, I believe that the twelve activities in the guide make a powerful combination. Ideally, clients will focus on tackling one new activity each week for a total of twelve weeks. Naturally, though, you can progress at whatever speed you’d like.
Do you need help getting your resume and/or career back on track? NOW is the time to get in touch!
We all know that it is important to include specific, quantifiable achievements on your resume. But a truly powerful resume actually goes one step further. The most effective resumes give the reader insight into your potential impact. Read more
I have covered this topic quite a bit here, but I am still asked this question on a regular basis.
The answer is yes – a cover letter is important. In fact, in this job market, I would argue that a cover letter is more important than ever. Think about it; the cover letter provides you with more opportunity to market yourself. With so much competition, why wouldn’t you seize every opportunity to further engage readers and establish your qualifications / expertise? Read more
I have recently read some debate about the value of post-interview thank you letters. Despite the arguments, I maintain that a thank you letter is a key part of the job search process. In fact – in this challenging job market – the thank you letter has taken on a new level of importance. Read more
From the archives – common questions worth re-addressing.
Q: When is the best time to submit a resume for an open position? Read more
I have a lot of people ask me about “outside the box” ways of reaching HR and Hiring Managers. Read more
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